Transport guidelines - PACKER'S GUIDELINES Mm/1

Animals obviously in advanced stages of pregnancy or animals that have recently given birth should not be shipped. Infant animals incapable of feeding themselves should not be shipped unless prior arrangements have been made to feed the infant during transport if the travel will take longer than the infant's normal feeding period.

1.4

Sedation should be administered only in exceptional circumstances and should be carried out under the supervision of an authorized qualified veterinarian. Details of any sedation should accompany the animal.

1.5

Animals of different species should not be transported in the same container.

1.6

Unless animals of the same species are known to be compatible with one another, they should not be transported in the same container.

1.7

Animals should be disturbed as little as possible.

1.8

Animals that have become sick or that have been injured during transport should receive veterinary treatment as soon as possible and, if necessary, should be humanely destroyed. A record of any such occurrences should be kept.

1.9

Sick or dead animals should be removed from containers, when feasible, and a record kept.

1.10

Any rest periods prescribed by a veterinarian should be complied with.

1.11

The frequency and type of feeding and watering natural to the animals should be adhered to during transport, and should be clearly specified on the labelling.

1.12

An adequate supply of suitable bedding material should be provided.

1.13

To avoid cross-infection, and for health and hygiene reasons, human contact with animals should be avoided, and they should not be housed near foodstuffs or in places to which unauthorized persons have access.

1.14

No animal should be transported with radioactive material or other substances dangerous to health.

1.15

Containers should be secured to the aircraft, rail wagon, lorry or ship to avoid any possible movement, and should at all times be maintained in a horizontal position.

2.

Advance arrangements for transport

2.1

There should be an appropriate period for holding and conditioning of animals prior to shipment, during which they should be introduced to their containers progressively.

2.2

All possible precautions should be taken in advance to ensure that animals are not subjected to extremes of temperature or to draughts. This would necessitate planning their movement with due regard to the climatic conditions natural to them, and to the conditions prevailing at their final destination, and also those that will be encountered during transport. Particular attention should be paid to the facilities at any intermediate stops at airports, etc.

2.3

When containers are to be re-used they should be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected before and after use.

2.4

The estimated time of arrival should be notified in advance to the consignee, and also the route of the consignment. Adequate arrangements for its prompt collection at the final destination, and for any necessary movement at transit points, should be made in advance.

2.5

Should any delay in collection be anticipated, then advance arrangements should be made for the housing, feeding and watering of the animals.

2.6

Cash on delivery facilities should not be used.

3.

Container

3.1

The container should be constructed of material of sufficient strength and there should be an adequate framework to ensure that it is strong enough to house the animals securely and to withstand the handling involved during transport.

3.2

There should be no sharp edges or projections on the inside surfaces of the container.

3.3

If any wood preservative or paint is used on the container, care should be taken to ensure that this is not toxic or a skin irritant.

3.4

Should the container be made up of several compartments, the overall size should be such that it may be handled without difficulty.

3.5

The floor of the container should be of slatted construction, so designed and constructed that there is no possibility of the animal's feet being trapped between the slats. For smaller animals, e.g. porcupines, rodents, armadillos, etc., the floor may be of suitable mesh. In any case, the floor should be positioned over a removable, waterproof tray with a sufficient quantity of absorbent material in the tray unless absorbent material is placed in with the animal.

3.6

The walls and roof should be of solid construction.

3.7

For strong clawing or gnawing animals, the inside of the walls should be lined with sheet metal or suitable mesh.

3.8

For certain animals, such as kangaroos and wallabies, the underside of the roof should be padded with an adequate thickness of soft material.

3.9

The front should be of mesh of suitable strength, or of metal bars, or bars of material of equal strength, and so designed and constructed that the animals are not able to come into contact with persons handling the container.

3.10

A burlap or similar cover should be fitted to the front in such a manner that it may be removed when necessary, care being taken not to interfere with the ventilation.

3.11

There should be a sliding door of adequate size, constructed of material of similar strength to the rest of the container, and provided with a secure fastening device which is not accessible to the animals.

3.12

An adequate, safe, external access for feeding and watering should be provided. For some animals it may be advisable to provide separate, flange-sided troughs for food and water, removable from the outside, and which have provision for closing the trough access during removal.

3.13

To ensure an adequate flow of air at all times, there should be additional ventilation by means of holes of a suitable size in all walls of the container. Care should be taken to ensure that these holes are of a size which prevents the animals from coming into contact with persons handling the container, and that they are not obstructed by any sheet metal or mesh lining that may be fitted.

3.14

Suitable lifting handles or grippers bars should be provided and, when the container will be heavily loaded, then hooks for crane slings and facilities for handling by fork-lift should also be fitted.

3.15

Spacer bars of adequate size should be fitted to all walls, roof and base of the container, to ensure that there is a free flow of air to the animals in the event of stacking or close stowing of cargo.

4.

Labelling and documentation

Durable, waterproof labels should be provided as follows:

4.1

"LIVE ANIMALS – DO NOT TIP" on all sides and top.

4.2

"THIS WAY UP", with arrows indicating the top, on all sides.

4.3

Consignor's and consignee's name, address and telephone number. Box numbers should not be used as the sole address.

4.4

Detailed list of contents: number of animals, scientific name and common names used in the exporting and importing countries.

4.5

Temperature range required.

4.6

Required diet, and feeding and watering instructions.

4.7

Details of any sedation given.

4.8

Date on which animals were crated for transport.

4.9

Official stamp of carrier showing date of his receipt of consignment.

Durable, waterproof means of containing the following documents and other essential information should be firmly attached to the container:

4.10

Duplicate of consignor's and consignee's name, address and telephone number.

4.11

Duplicate list of contents as in 4.4.

4.12

Copies of relevant export and import licences.

4.13

Copy of valid health certificate issued in accordance with the requirements of the importing country.